Tractor attachment



y 18, 1944- G. GERALDSON TRACTOR ATTACHMENT Filed Dec. 9, 1940 5 SheefLs-Sheet' 1 Gerald Gera/dson 5 :I

Fittmrn July 18, 1944. GFGERALDSON TRACTOR ATTACHMENT Filed Dec. 9 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 i1 Q13 I II YIIIIIIIII: '11

In v ErL-t D T Gerald Gem/(150m 5 a Fit-lzmr'neg July 18, 1944. GIGERALDSON TRACTOR ATTACHMENT F iled Dec.

9 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lnvEn 1:131

Gem/d Gem/450R Fit-turns: 1

Patented July 18, 1944 TRACTOR ATTACHMENT Gerald Geraldson, Rockford, Ill., assignor to J. 1. Case Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation Application December 9, 1940, Serial No. 369,148

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to plows and more particularly to two-way or hillside plows such as are adapted to be mounted directly on a tractor or other propelling means, and an object of the invention is to generally improve the construction and operation of devices of this class.

A further object is to provide a plow which is readily attachable to a tractor and cooperable with instrumentalities which are provided on the tractor for other or general purposes.

Further objects are to provide improved means for attaching a plow to a tractor; improved means for adjusting a tractor mounted plow and improved means for lifting such a plow by power from the tractor.

Other and further objects will become apparent from the annexed specification and accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention applied to a tractor, parts of the tractor being'removed to more clearly show the features of the plow.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the attachment removed from the tractor, parts being removed and others broken away to show detail features.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the construction shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the attachment with parts broken away.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a similar view with the parts in another position.

As seen in Fig. 1, the plow illustrative of the invention is attached to a tractor of any suitable kind generally designated as T having an engine E, an axle A, rear wheels as R, front wheels as F, and in the present instance a pilot truck I, although it is to be understood'that the invention is not to be taken as limited to the combination of the plow structure with any specific type of tractor. The tractor is also provided with a foot board 2 and a power lift mechanism generally designated as 3 of suitable or well-known construction operated by a power take-off shaft 4 actuated from engine E in any suitable or wellknown manner. The details of tractor T being otherwise well-known, it should not be necessary to describe it further.

The illustrative plow disclosed is particularly adapted for two-way operation and comprises generally two complete units, identical except that one is adapted for right hand operation and the other for left hand operation. It will be necessary, therefore, to describe only one side in 24 and 25 of plows l2 and I5.

detail, namely, the left side as shown particularly in Fig. 1.

The plows in the present instance are drawn from the pilot truck I, a shank or other means 5 being clamped or otherwise suitably secured to truck I and having an arm or bracket 6 depending to a suitable point 1 for the connected draw bar or pull bar 8 to clear the bottom of engine E. Pull bar 8 extends rearwardly to a cross bar or hitch bar 9 which in the present instance constitutes a pivotal connection of pull bar 8 with beam I0. Beam Ill continues rearwardly through a beam guide generally designated as H and connects with a plow bottom generally designated as I2 and which is of suitable construction forming no part of the present invention. Spaced rearwardly from bottom I2 is a tail wheel generally designated as l3 and which serves certain purposes of a gage wheel and as a rolling landside. A rolling or other suitable coulter I4 is attached to beam ID if required for the usual purposes.

As above suggested, the construction so far described is duplicated on the far side of the tractor as seen in Fig. 1, the right hand plow bottom I5 being carried by a beam IS in a guide l1 and having a rolling landside l8 and coulter [9.

As seen in Fig. 2, beam l6 connects, in the present instance, through cross bar 9, with a pull bar 20 pivoted at 2| to an arm 22 connected with a shank 23 clamped or otherwise fixed to the far side of pilot truck I. It will thus be seen that plow bottoms l2 and I5 are drawn by the tractor from a hitch point which is closed to the ground according to recognized good practice, and that the beams are free to pivot relatively to pull bars 8 and 20 although guided against excessive moveme'nt by guides H and I1.

Cross bar or hitch bar 9 is controllable in an up-and-down direction as will appear, and there fore constitutes a meansof regulating the height of the hitch point and accordingly of the depth of plowing, any change in the height of the hitch point guiding the plow for deeper or shallower plowing in well-known manner. Cross bar 9, however, cooperates with rolling landsides l3 and i8 by virtue of the fact that the latter are spaced backwardly a substantial amount from the points Assuming land side l3 for example to be resting on the furrow bottom, it will be apparent that it will prevent further penetration of the plow and thus act as a gage wheel. A change in the height of cross bar 9, considering beam In as a lever, will cause an appreciable change in the actual height of and 29 of a rocking element generally designated as 39 pivotally supported in bearings 31 and 32 suitably fixed in the present instance with the under side of tractor T. Element 39 may be rocked in any suitable manner in 'the present instance being provided with an arm 33 which is offset to extend upwardly beside the tractor. A link 94, Fig. 1, connects with a control lever generally designated as 33 pivotally supported for example from axle A as will appear. Rocking of lever 39 will accordingly actuate arm 33, rocking element 39 and raising or lowering cross bar 9. A hand grip 39 connects in suitable or wellknown manner with a detent or latch 31 which engages with a quadrant 33 fixed for example with axle A. Lever 33 may be located within convenient reach of the tractor operator so that the height of cross bar 9 and accordingly the depth of plowing may be controlled at any time.

During plowing as is well-known, one wheel of the tractor ordinarily rims in the furrow so that the tractor leans to one side. This leaning varies in accordance with the depth of plowing, being more for deep plowing and less for shallow plowing. An adjustment of the attitude of plows I2 and i5 is therefore necessary in order that they will form a furrow with a level floor regardless of the position of the tractor. This is conveniently effected as follows:

Pull bar 9, Figs. 2 and 3, has a bearing portion 8 connecting with cross bar 9, and a brace 39 is riveted or otherwise rigidly fixed at 49 with pull bar 9 and engaged with cross bar 9 at a bearing 39' spaced from the point of engagement of pull bar 9 with cross bar 9. This gives a spaced two-bearing engagement with cross bar 9 to prevent twisting of pull bar 3. A similar construction is used with pull bar 29.

It will be apparent that a comparatively stifl pulling unit is provided by pull bars 9 and 29, cross bar 9 and the connections between the pull bars and cross bar, rocking unit 39 preventing appreciable inclination of the cross bar laterally relatively to the tractor. A comparatively fixed and unchangeable hitch point is accordingly provided from which angular adjustment of the plow beams may be effected.

Beam ID in the present instance is somewhat offset at 4| near where it connects with cross bar 9 and has a bearing portion 42 connecting with the cross bar but with sufllcient freedom to provide for limited rocking movement. A brace 43 is iveted or otherwise fixed with beam l9 as at 44 and has a yoke portion 49 enclosing cross bar 9 and providing a slot 43 for up-and-down adjustment of brace 43.

As will be apparent the mechanism so far described provides for pivotal movement in a longitudinal plane of pull bar 3 and beam I9 about cross bar 9,cross bar 9 remaining at all times substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the tractor, although variable in height, relatively thereto. Also, up-and-down adjustment of yoke 45 relatively to cross bar 9, will result in penetration to pull bar 3. Suitable means is provided for obtaining and maintaining this adjustment.

In the present instance a standard 41 is fixed in any suitable manner as by bolts 43-43 with 'brace 43 and has fulcrumed thereon on a pin,

stud or the like 49 a lever 99 having a detent 3! extending through a slot 92 in lever 33 into engagement with notches 93-53 in the present instance for convenience formed in standard 41. Lever 99 has an arm 34 projecting from the region of fulcrum 49 above cross bar 3 and connected as by a pin 95 with a link 33 extending downwardly and connecting with cross bar 3.

Assuming cross bar 9 to be fixed in position (which it is by virtue of lever 39 and its connected parts) pin 35 becomes the fulcrum for lever 39 and movement of lever 99, assuming detent M to be disengaged from notches 33, will cause up-and-down movement of pin 49, raising standard 49 and accordingly brace 43, thus bringing about the raising or lowering of yoke 43 and twisting or rolling adjustment of beam l9, sufficient rocking movement being possible in bearing 42 to provide for this.

Detent II is preferably urged into engagement with notches 93 by suitable means as a spring 31 compressed for example between a washer 33 and an abutment 99 carried on lever 39. Detent 3| has an actuating rod 99 extending longitudinally of lever 59 and having a grip or handle portion 3| for disengaging the detent upon actuation of the lever by means of handle 32. Other suitable detent means and actuating means therefor are contemplated as equivalent.

Suitable collars as 93 or the like are provided for maintaining the position of the parts on cross bar 9. Also, a strut 94, Fig. 2, is in the present instance interposed between-beam l9 and brace 49 to brace the parts against a tendency to close together under the pull of the tractor against the plow. A strut 99 is preferably interposed between pull bar 9 and brace 39 for a similar purpose.

The mechanism so far described will serve all the purposes of efficient plowing, the means for lifting the plows for transportation and for selecting the plows to be effective being as follows:

A above noted, guides Ii and H are substantially identical and only one need be described in detail. As seen in Fig. 4, guide ll comprises an inner strap 99 extending generally in an upright direction and an outer strap 31 spaced from:

strap 99 and also extending in an upright direc tion. Straps 99 and 91 are spaced apart. at their lower ends as by a bolt or spreader member 33 and connected at their upper ends by a fitting 33 carrying a fulcrum pin 19 for a purpose to appear. Guide II is connected to guide H as by a strip ll united in the present instance with strap 99 and an inner strap 12 of guide l1. Strip I! for convenience, rests upon tractor platform l3 supporting guides II and I1 and resulting in a strong and stable support for the guides which at times are called upon to carry a large proportion of the weight of beams 19 and I3 with their attached plow bottoms.

/ Guide Ii is connected by brace 14 in the present instance with a boss 15 and a similar brace 19 connects guide I! with above mentioned boss 15. Guide H has a fulcrum pin 11 carried in a fitting 18 uniting strap 12 with a strap 12'. To further brace guide II, a strut 19, Fig. 1, extends forwardly from fitting 99 to a clamping means generally designated as 99, Fig. 1, for securing it rigidly to axle A. As indicated, clamping a twisting or rolling motion of beam l9 relatively 79 means 39 may for convenience also be utilized to secure above mentioned quadrant 88 and a fulcrum 88 of lever 88. A similar brace 8| extends from fitting I8 to a clamping means not shown on the opposite side of tractor T and which is preferably substantially identical with clamping.

means 88, except that since there is no counterpart of lever 88 on this side of the tractor, no provision need be made for a quadrant such as 38 or fulcrum such a 88. Guides II and I1 therefore provide a readily attachable and detachable. unit which may, be mounted on the tractor in a solid and stable manner.

Guide II has a lever 82 fulcrumed on pivot 18 and extending upwardly'to a position for manipulation by the tractor operator. Lever 82 has an arm 83 extending downwardly in the present instance to the rear of guide II and having a lip 84 extending substantially across the guid in the path of upward movement of plow beam II. A,

spring 85 tensioned between a lug 88 on lever 82 and an extension 81 urges lever 82 in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 4. Lip 84 has a diagonal surface 88 which is encountered by beam I8 when the beam is raised as will appear, the beam pushing aside lip 84 as indicated in dottedlines and rising to a position somewhat above the lip. Spring 88 then returns lever 82 to the full line position whereupon beam I8 is retained in its raised position by lip 84. A similar lever 89, lip 98 and associated parts, are provided in connection with guide I'I. With both beams raised and carried on lips 84 and 98 respectively,

it will be apparent that either beam I8 or beam' I8 may be dropped and accordingly the left hand or right hand plow put into'operation by a pull on either lever 82 or lever 88. The raising of the plow beams is accomplished from above mentioned power lift 8 as will now be described.

Power lift 8 in the present instance includes a driven crank 9I-, Figs. 4, 5 and 6 arranged to perform a half revolution each time the mechanism is tripped as by a foot pedal 92 carried on a stem 83 and pivotally connected to a rocker 84, stem 88 passing through and being guided ifdesired by above mentioned foot board 2, a spring 95 or other suitable means returning the pedal after actuation. Suitable mechanism for accomplishing this operation'being well-known, it is considered unnecessary to describe it further.

As seen in Fig. 5, crank 8I is connected to raise the plow beams upon performing a half turn from a forwardly extending to .a rearwardly extending position. A pitman 98 pivoted .on a crank pin 81 connects through a pin or the like 88 with an arm 99 bifurcated if desired and fixed with a rock shaft I88, Joumaled in bearing portions MI and I82, Fig. 4, carried respectively by inner straps 66 and -12 of guides II and I1. Other means for supporting rock shaft I88 is contemplated as equivalent, but an advantage of carrying bearings IM and I82 from guides II and I1 resides in the removability of the guides, rock shaft, control levers, etc., as a unit from the tractor.

Rock shaft I88 carries composite arms generally designated as I83 and I84, Fig. 1, extending rearwardly over plow beam l8 and I6 respecsition to the upper or full line position, raising the uppcrfull line position for transportation. A will be apparent, composite arm I83 in Fig. 1 will perform the identical operation with respect to plow beam I8, both beams being raised to their highest position when the mechanism stands in the position shown in full lines shown in Fig. 5.

Assuming both beams in transport position, and the tractor about to begin the traversing of a field, if it is desired to throw the soil to the right it is only necessary to pull lever 88 thus releasing plow beam I8 for descent and press foot pedal 92 causing crank 8| to traverse a half turn from the full line to the dotted position in Fig. 5. This will lower both arms I83 and I84 and would lower both plow beams I8 and I8, except that lip 84, Fig. 4, prevents downward move-, ment of beam I8 upon downward movement of arm I83, so that only the right hand plow bottom connected with beam I8 is lowered. At the end of the field it is only necessary to again press foot pedal 92 when crank 9i will perform another half turn to the full line position in Fig. 5 thus raising both arms I88 and I84 and plow beam I6, beam I8 being already raised and held on lip 84 will not be aifected by the upward movement of arm I89 except slightly near the end of such upward movement, it being advisable for the arms to raise the beams slightly above the transport position to insure the movement of lips 84 and 88 beneath the beams.

An alternative manner of use of the structure is to trip power lift 3 by means of foot pedal 92, but instead of releasing pedal 92 immediately, holding it down until crank 8| has passed from the dotted position of Fig. 5, through the full line position, whereupon the crank will continue until it has made a full turn, or returned to the dotted position. Arms I83 and I84 will then raise tively, and connected by suitable means as chains I85 and I86 with beams I8 and I5. It will now be apparent that movement of crank 9| from the dotted position shown in Fig. 5 will cause movement of arm 99 from the forward or dotted position to the rearward or full line position causing rocking of rock shaft I88 and upward movement of composite arm I84 from the lower dotted powhichever beam happens to be in plowing position (or both beams if both should happen to be down for any reason) the beams being retained in raised position by lips 84 and 98, while arms I88 and I84 are returned to the dotted posltion shown in Fig. 5. When it is desired to start the next furrow, the pull on either lever 82 or 88 will release the appropriate plow beam to drop 'by gravity and start work substantially immediately.

It is noted that a power lift providing a full turn upon pressing of pedal 92 might be provided and used, within the contemplation of the invention in which case it would be unnecessary to hold the :pedal down into the second cycle, as above described. However, such a power lift would not be so convenient for the majority of purposes as the one described.

Any suitable means for securing chains I85 and I88 to plow beams I8 and I6 may be used within the contemplation of the invention, in the present instance. a bracket I81 being fixed as for example by bolts I88-488 with beam I8 and having an offset portion I89 carrying a bolt or the like II8 with which chain I88 is engaged. Bracket I81 for convenience also carries a clamp generally designated as III of suitable or wellknown type engaging a shank II2 extending downwardly and to which is clamped a coulter yoke II3 carrying, as on an axle II4, albove mentioned coulter I8. A similar bracket II5, Fig. 1, carries a clamp II6, shank II! and yoke II8 carrying an axle H9 and above mentioned coulter I4. Chain I88 may be connected to bracket II! m the same manner as chain I is connected to offset portion I09 01 bracket I01.

Gage wheel I8 in the present instance is carried on an arm I20 fixed with a portion I2I of the frog I22 of plow bottom I5, frog I22 being clamped to beam I0 as by a bolt or the like I23 engaged in a slot I24 to provide for adjustment of the attitude of plow bottom I relatively to beam IS. A set screw or the like I25 may be engaged in portion I2I to readily effect adjustment of the frog when bolt I23 is loosened. Identically similar structure including an arm I26 is used in connection with plow bottom I2 and need not be further described.

As indicated in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, there may be interference between composite arms I03 and I04 and parts associated with beams I0 and I0 respectively. To provide for free movement of rock shaft I00, arms I03 and I04 are arranged to be upwardly yieldable. Thus as particularly seen in Fig. 6, arm I04 comprises a portion I21 fixed with rock shaft I00 and extending rearwardly to a point short of offset portion I00 of bracket I01 when beam I0 is in its raised position. The remainder of arm I04 comprises a portion I28 Ipivoted as by a pin I28 to above mentioned portion I21, in the present instance at a point spaced from the rearward end of portion I21. Portion I28 is preferably bifurcated. A stop I30 extends across the opening in portion I28 as seen in Fig. 4, and rests upon portion I21 when arm I04 is in lifting position, as seen in Fig. 5. A plurality of rivets, bolts or the like I3I and I32 extend across the space within portion I28 and to which above mentioned chain I06 may be alternatively connected as may be required by conditions. As will be apparent, arm I04 functions as a rigid member so long as beam I0 is lowered. However, in the event that beam I0 is maintained in its raised position on lip 00, and arm I04 is lowered by rocking of rock shaft I00, portion I28 may encounter and rest upon offset portion I09 of bracket I01 as shown in Fig. 6, whereupon portions I28 and I21 will pivot about pin I28 and provide for further downward movement of portion I21 without interference from bracket portion I09. Identical construction is used in connection with arm I03 and need not be further described.v

Assisting springs are used in the present instance to relieve the power lift mechanism of part of the load, thus portion I21 has an ear "3 fixed therewith to which is pivoted as by a pin or the like I34 a link I35 extending forwardly and connecting with a spring I30 tensioned between said link and an anchorage I31, Fig. 1, extending across the tractor. Anchorage I31 is suitably fixed for example with a portion of engine E. A similar assisting spring I38 is connected as by an an adjusting bolt I30 with anchorage I31 and connects through a link I40 with an ear I on a portion I42 of arm I03 corresponding substantially exactly with above mentioned rportion I21 of arm I04. The spring construction being substantially identical on the two sides of the tractor, no further description is considered necessary.

The pull on springs I30 and I38, as will be apparent, exerts a continuous turning effort in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, thereby assisting power lift 3 in the lifting of the relatively heavy plow beams, the springs, however, not being sufficiently strong to interfere with the downward movement of arms I03 and I04 after the beams are raised and In contact with lips 04 and 00.

The operation of the two-way plow is thought to be apparent from the above description, the plow being readily attached to the tractor at the front by shanks 23 and 5, bea and 32 being applied and guides II and I1 and their attached parts being mounted at the rear. connection of pitman 96 to power lift crank pin 91 and the connection of link 34 and anchorage I31, the attachment'is complete. The plows are raised to transport position by actuation of foot pedal 92 and arms I03 and I04 may be allowed to return to a downward. position whereupon either the right or left hand plow may be dropped substantially instantaneously by a pull on either lever or 82. low hitch point in the present instance represented by cross bar or hitch bar 9 which point may be adjusted up or down by lever 35 to cause shallow or deep plowing as desired. Gage wheels or rolling landsides I8 and I3 cooperate with cross bar 9 to effect this result. Beams I0 and I0 are relatively free to float or find their own position behind the tractor within limits defined by guides II and I1 and adjustment for compensating for the tilt of the tractor when plowing either deep or shallow may be promptly effected by changing the position of brace 43 through lever 50, it being understood that substantially identical mechanism is used in connection with and for effecting a corresponding adjustment of beam I6.

The above being a complete description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a plow for attachment to a tractor, the combination of a unit including a plurality of pull bars pivotally attached to the front Of the tractor and extending rearwardly therebeneath, a cross-bar connected with said pull bars rearwardly of the pivotal connection and extending transversely between them, and a plurality of plow beams pivotally connected with said unit to be propelled thereby, means for vertically adjusting said unit for adjusting the plowing depth. means for angularly adjusting said plow beams relatively to said unit, power lift means adapted for simultaneously lifting said plow beams and means individual to said plow beams for retaining them in raised position independently of each other. I

2. In a plow for attachment to a tractor, the combination of a pull bar pivotally connected with the forward portion of the tractor, a crossbar connected transversely to the pull bar rearwardly of the pivotal connection, means for vertically adjusting the cross-bar, a beam pivotally connected to said pull bar and means connected with said cross bar for angularly adjusting the geam in a transverse plane relatively to said pull 3. In a plow for attachment to a tractor, the combination of a pull bar connected with the tractor, a cross-bar connected transversely to the pull bar, a plow beam pivotally connected to the cross-bar and including a brace engaging the cross bar at a point spaced from the beam, said brace providing a slot extending in an up-anddown direction and within which said cross-bar is engaged, a link connected with said cross-bar,

and adjusting means engaged with the link and adapted to shift said brace and said cross-bar for changing the locirelatively to each other The plows are pulled from a asaaosa tion within said slot at which said cross-bar engages said brace for adjusting said plow beam angularly in a plane transverse to said beam.

4. In a plow for attachment to a tractor, the combination of a pull bar connected with the tractor, a cross-bar connected transversely to the pull bar, a plow beam pivotally connectedto the cross-bar and including a brace engaging the cross-bar at a point spaced from the beam, said brace providing a slot extending in an upand-down direction and within which said crossbar is engaged, and adjusting means for shifting said brace and said cross bar relatively for changing the location within aid slot at which said cross bar engages said-brace for angularly adjusting said beam in a transverse plane.

5. In a plow for attachment to a tractor, the combination of an attaching bracket fixed at the front of the tractor, a pull bar pivotally connected with the attaching bracket, a hitch bar connected transversely to the pull bar and rearwardly of the pivotal connection, means for vertically adjusting the hitch bar, a plow beam pivotally connected to said pull bar and means connected with said plow beam and said hitch bar for angularly adjusting the beam in a transverse plane relatively to said pull bar.

6. In a plow for attachment to a tractor, th combination of an attaching bracket fixed at the front of the tractor, a pull bar connected to the attaching bracket, a hitch bar connected transversely to the pull bar rearwardly of the pivotal connection, a plow beam connected to said hitch bar and means connected with said beam and with said hitch bar for angularly adjusting the beam in a transverse plane relatively to. said pull bar.

7. In a plow for attachmentto a tractor, the

means adapted for simultaneously lifting said plow beams and latch members engageable with said plow beams for retaining them in raised position independently of each other.

8. In a plow for attachment to a tractor, the combination of a unit including a plurality of pull bars pivotally attached to the front or the tractor and extending rearwardly therebeneath, a cross bar connected with said pull bars rearwardly of the pivoted connection and extending transversely between them, and a plurality of plow beams, said combination including a rock shaft extending transversely of the tractor for vertically adjusting said unit for adjusting the plowing depth, said rock shaft having spaced arms extending in a direction substantially longitudinally of the tractor, connections from said arms connecting with said cross bar at spaced points, and a controlling device for rocking the rock shaft, means for angularly adjusting said plow beams relatively to said unit, power lift means adapted for simultaneously lifting said plow beams and means individual to said plow beams for retaining them in raised position independently of each other.

GERALD GERALDSON. 

